Sun Bowl Rematch: Duke vs. Arizona State, 11 Years Later, with a Whole New Look
It’s been over a decade since Duke and Arizona State last met in the Sun Bowl, and while the 2014 clash gave us a back-and-forth thriller, the rematch in 2025 has a very different feel. Back then, the Blue Devils were in the heart of David Cutcliffe’s bowl-era resurgence, and the Sun Devils had a roster full of future pros. Fast forward eleven years, and both programs have seen their share of transitions-but the stakes, and the opportunity, remain just as high.
A Wild Finish in 2014
Let’s rewind for a second. In that 2014 matchup, Arizona State jumped out to a 20-3 lead and still led by 13 in the fourth quarter.
But Duke didn’t go quietly. The Blue Devils mounted a late charge, highlighted by a trick-play touchdown pass from wide receiver Jamison Crowder to Isaac Blakeney.
Just when it looked like Duke might pull off the comeback, ASU responded with a 96-yard kickoff return that set up a game-sealing touchdown. Duke drove to the ASU 14 in the final minutes, but quarterback Anthony Boone’s interception ended the rally.
That game was emblematic of a Duke program that had found its footing under Cutcliffe, becoming a regular in the postseason conversation. But as with all things in college football, glory is fleeting. Both teams have cycled through multiple coaching staffs since then, and now, we’re set for a rematch that looks nothing like the original-especially off the field.
Roster Turnover Hits ASU Hard
Arizona State comes into this game with a depleted roster. According to team sources, 19 players from their two-deep depth chart won’t be suiting up.
In total, 35 Sun Devils are out due to a mix of NFL Draft declarations, transfer portal entries, and injuries. That includes quarterback Sam Leavitt, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson-a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 draft-and running back Raleek Brown.
Entire position groups, including much of the offensive line, will be replaced by backups.
For Duke, that creates a bit of a scouting mystery. As head coach Manny Diaz puts it, “We’ve got 12 games of evidence of what they want to be on offense, on defense, on special teams.
We always assume that any team we play will be at full strength.” Diaz isn’t downplaying the situation-he’s just not letting it change the approach.
“Bowl games are all about execution,” Diaz continued. “You don’t find many sports where you stop for three or four weeks and then go compete again.
The real challenge is getting back to game speed. Tackle well, protect the football, play solid special teams.
That’s what wins bowl games.”
Duke’s Defensive Adjustments
Duke’s defense will be without a couple of key contributors-cornerback Chandler Rivers and defensive end VJ Anthony. But defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke remains confident, especially in the depth along the defensive line. He expects senior Wesley Williams to step up and mentioned Tyshon Reed as a player to watch in Anthony’s absence.
“Our guys are taking it in stride,” Patke said. “It’s a great opportunity for some of the younger players. We feel really good about our defensive end room-Coach [Harland] Bower has done a great job building that group.”
Patke’s keys to the game aren’t complicated: win the turnover battle, tackle well, limit explosive plays, and get off the field on third down. The basics, yes, but the kind that matter most when rust and roster changes are in play.
And in case you were wondering-yes, linebacker Luke Mergott still has the football he intercepted to seal the ACC title game. It’s sitting in his bedroom. No, he’s not giving it back.
Offense Looking to Keep the Ground Game Rolling
On the offensive side, Duke wants to keep the momentum going from its three-game win streak to close the regular season. That streak was powered by a resurgent ground game, and offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer knows they’ll need to lean on it again.
“They’re really good against the run,” Brewer said of ASU’s defense. “They get teams into third-and-longs and bring pressure. We have to stay ahead of the chains-run the ball effectively, stay in second-and-manageable situations.”
Brewer called ASU’s defense “sound, violent, and talented.” And despite the roster attrition, the scheme remains intact. That’s why Diaz is emphasizing balance.
“When we’ve been at our best this year, we’ve been two-dimensional,” Diaz said. “If you have to throw, you’re in trouble. But if you can throw when you want to-not when you have to-that’s when you’re in control.”
New Faces on the Line, Same Mentality
Duke will be shuffling its offensive line a bit. With Brian Parker opting out, Justin Pickett will slide from guard to tackle.
At 6-foot-7, 320 pounds, Pickett certainly looks the part, and he has experience at tackle earlier in his career. It’s a big opportunity for him, both in terms of team impact and NFL evaluation.
“The art of football is stopping the run and running the football,” Pickett said. “When you can run it, you open up the entire offense. Establishing the run early will be crucial.”
Brewer echoed that sentiment and added that this is a chance to get a look at the future. Bradley Smith will take over at guard, and Duke will get a valuable glimpse at its next generation of linemen.
There’s been some staff movement too. Florida hired away running backs coach Chris Foster after just one season in Durham, but Duke has already tabbed East Carolina’s Rodney Freeman II as his replacement. For the bowl game, though, senior analyst Cam Clark will handle running backs duties.
Personal Milestones and a Chance to Finish Strong
Beyond the team goals, there are some individual milestones in play. Quarterback Darian Mensah is 179 yards away from breaking Anthony Dilweg’s single-season passing record from 1988.
Nate Sheppard needs just 38 rushing yards to become the first freshman in Duke history to hit 1,000 yards in a season. And wide receiver Cooper Barkate is 81 yards away from moving into second place on Duke’s all-time single-season receiving list-behind only Jamison Crowder.
But while the stats are nice, for many players, this game is about one last ride with their teammates.
“My big thing is, I love the game of football,” Pickett said. “There’s no game too big or too small for me.
I want to be out there with my teammates, my friends. One last round with these boys.
I couldn’t be more thankful for it.”
Duke has a shot at nine wins and a four-game win streak to close the season. That’s not just a strong finish-it’s a statement. And while the names and faces may have changed since that 2014 shootout, the stakes are still the same: pride, momentum, and a chance to build something heading into 2026.